The Commander Series Forum

Hi All,

I'm planning a new high-tech (all-grav vehicle) 6/10mm battlegroup based on the Imperial Marines from Traveller, and I've been trying to think of a different way to represent CO and HQ units. The tank/APC models I have in mind are quite big, so 2 or 3 on a stand could get quite unwieldy, plus I'd really like something a bit more 'futuristic' compared to my BKC/CWC examples.

A possibility is one or more 'sensor drones' on a stand, but I'd already decided on that for recce, FAO/FAC etc. Can always use different types to distinguish (or different numbers/combinations) but since my imagination has run a bit dry I thought I'd check with people here in hopes of some inspiration Simple markers are perfectly workable from a game perspective but there must be a better way...

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Pete

One APC and one Tank. Radome and antennae on the APC. Some assorted command infantry on foot. Give them a different shape base than the other units. That's my initial idea, anyway.

Hrm, from memory of the Striker vehicle and TOE data, the command variants (where they exist) are externally the same as the fighting versions so as to give nothing away even visually.

On top of that, although the OIC might be in one specific vehicle, they're all astonishingly networked and exceedingly capable, and the write ups suggest even a generic APC is entirely capable of acting as a command unit for a planetary level campaign!

Bit of a tangent, but much as I like the *Commander command system I'm not sure it works well for representing such forces in Future War. I'd be tempted by some sort of "floating commander" rule, where you buy the HQ/CO's as normal, but treat any vehicle or squad as the "centre point" for the command radius and AA fire for that turn. If suppressed you just move to another one next turn.

Makes them exceedingly resilient and flexible in command which top tier Traveller forces are in spades.

Love to see the force when you;re done - I've toyed with the idea for ages. Go the 4518th Lift Infantry! When Virus or the Zhodani come a'nocking, you want the very best.

I like the idea of the "floating commander", captures the networked battlefield nicely. Of course it's not 'canon' FWC but a nice house rule that could be balanced against a standard opponent by smaller force size (the Marines are always outnumbered )

If I make up a handful of additional sensor drones I can use them as markers, placed adjacent to the selected command vehicles for the turn - one for an HQ, 2 for a CO. There should be a lot of those floating around a hi-tech battlefield anyway.

To revert to standard FWC, just leave the drones with a single unit. A tiny bit more fiddly as you have to move multiple models for each command unit but perhaps not a big deal.

I will trawl my collection of space fighters etc for some suitable-looking sensor drones.

Thanks!

Pete

Pleasure, I reckon it should be workable, might need a bit of tweaking but you can see in play

Imperial Marines may indeed be always out numbered, but when your minimum level of force is a good sized nuclear warhead, that probably doesn't matter much

I'm not sure what scale you're working in, but how about a satellite uplink dish on the CO/HQ stands?

Hi Mr Average & collins355,

Thanks for the suggestions, I will be using them for my tracked & hover 'near future' (i.e. Traveller mid-tech) units.

The marines will be using various vehicles from the Adler 'Dark Star' range and C-in-C's 'Renegade Legion', all of which are very sleek and look like they spend most of their time at 200+ km/h. That suits my idea of an ultra-tech far future unit, so I don't want to clutter the lines or have them looking too 'stationary' if you know what I mean

Cheers,

Pete

Some of those "Dark Star" vehicles are exactly what I was inspired by to have recurring thoughts about doing a TL-15 Grav equipped Imperial unit (only it'd be the Huscarles, 4518th Lift, as it's good to be the Duke!).

If time and money and energy were no object... I'm really looking forward to seeing your finished article Maybe enough to mean my children can't have wiiiiine and I'll get some new tanks

Have you seen what this chap has been doing?

http://isentropicendoscope.blogspot.co.nz/

Loving the Imperial starburst on the side of the vehicles.

(Weirdly, I use the same GZG grav tanks, but as Zhodani Z-80s!)

Ooooh, nice!

I hadn't seen those, thanks for the heads-up.

For marines I have the same GZG infantry as him

Cheers,

Pete

Very spiffy! Those are spot on for Astrid APCs & the battle armour figs are pretty close! Great imperial sunbursts too